Written by: Chris Ellis on September 12, 2013

In The Sacred Gaze, David Morgan expounds upon how images can impact our view and understanding of reality. He writes, “Sacred gaze is a term that designates the particular configuration of ideas, attitudes, and customs that informs a religious act of seeing as it occurs within a given cultural and historical setting. A sacred gaze is a way of seeing which invests an image, a viewer or an act of viewing with spiritual significance” (pg3).

Morgan relates this spiritual gaze from everything from Mount Rushmore to Christian indigenous art around the world. These gazes fundamentally impact how we view and interact in the world, for good or for bad. When these spiritual gazes begin to cross cultures and nationalities, misunderstanding can some times ensue. I would venture to say that everyone has spiritual gazes. Though, we might not be able to see our own gaze because we’re so close we’re blind or ignorant to it.  Or, we might not see it because our theology tells us that gazing isn’t allowed, that gazing is a form of idolatry. Much like Aaron and the golden calf in the book of Exodus.  But, again, I think we all gaze, which begs the question – what are the religious images we’re gazing at?

Here are a few images that I think are influencing the faith of many.

–       Pope Francis – While I don’t have one particular image that sticks out in my mind, there are many that I think influence. Since Pope Francis has been installed he has washed and kissed the feet of the convict, paid for his own hotel room and often gives up posh transportation for more simple means.  He is becoming the image of Christian humility and challenging many to follow in his steps.  How does this picture strike you?

–       Westboro Baptist  – Unfortunately not all ‘gazing’ is good. As much as Pope Francis has become the image of humility, Westboro Baptist has become the opposite. The image of hatred, protesting and bigotry.  They protest the funerals of service men and women. They claim the hand of God in such acts as the Boston bombing and 9/11. They have become an image of Christianity that many can use as an easy excuse of why they aren’t Christians. How does this image strike you?

–       Flag in the church – The US flag has become intertwined with the Christian faith (as Morgan rightly notes).  Many have it in their place of Worship.  As a result of that connection, not giving reverence to the flag is often the same thing as rejecting Christ. Unfortunately, the two have become one. How does this imagine strike you?

A picture is worth a 1,000 words. In some ways it is more powerful than the spoken word.  What can be absorbed in 2 minutes of gazing upon an image is much more than can be heard verbally. Images shape our view of reality. Often regardless of our conscious desires, we give them spiritual weight, meaning, authority, though many certainly wouldn’t always admit that. Perhaps this is the reason the Protestant Reformation rejected images? Is it because they knew that that images sink deep into the soul, into the psyche of a person so quickly and so secretly?

About the Author

Chris Ellis